Happy Fall, Everyone! It seems as though every design blogger's favorite season is finally here! (Well, my favorite season is actually summer, but I can get down with Fall because it pretty much still feels like summer here in Georgia.) Today I am sharing how I prepared my space for Fall, and how surprisingly easy it was do so! If it's not your first rodeo here on chic little me, you know that I am no stranger to color. Honestly my commitment to color is much more indicative of Spring and Summer, but I could never neutralize my home to accommodate seasonal decor! Instead, I came up with 3 easy ways to incorporate Fall decor into my home without sacrificing my personal style. 


How to integrate Fall decor in 3 easy steps...

Step #1 Add Mixed Metals




Silver, copper, and brass not only go with just about any decor, they also add a little luxe to any space. Not only are they totally appropriate for Fall, they'll also translate well into Winter, and blend with any holiday decorations that we add in another month or so.





I've been in love with the idea of a studded pumpkin since last year, and I'm so glad that I finally pulled the trigger. It's so sassy! I paired it with a clipping from the tree outside our of dining room window. I decided not to add water to the vase so that the leaves will eventually start to change to those pretty colors that we all love!




For my dining table I decided to keep it simple and go with an asymmetrical arrangement using mirrors that I already had on hand and a copper candle. Admittedly we hardly ever eat there. Sadly we're eat-in-front-of-the-TV and collect-miscellaneous-mail-and-packages-on-the-dining-table sort of people.




But it is pretty cool to think that we might use it sometime when we don't have guests. Actually, this is the time of year when the dining table will start getting more visitors. Cards Against Humanity, anyone? :)




Step #2 Add Whimsy




I've never been one to purchase seasonal decorations (outside of Christmas) for fear of feeling a little cheesy. But one of the coolest things about owning your own home is being able to decorate it for the changing seasons, and experimenting whenever the mood strikes. This year I decided that I could at least give it a try. I managed to stay on a small budget (about $30) and attempted to add a few touches without it feeling too Halloween-ish. I started with a very cute, inexpensive pennant banner to hang on the fireplace. It also has gold edges, which reinforces the previous 'mixed metals' category. I appreciate that it's subtle, but also adds a little flair to an already very vibrant vignette.




Speaking of vignette, I also added a few new pieces to the mantle. I saw this adorable sparrow skeleton and I just couldn't resist. I paired him with a little cream pumpkin, and now he looks pretty happy in his new place of honor. 




On the TV console I switched out a few of my accessories for fall-inspired ones.




Each side got a small touch of whimsy without too much commitment.




Here I took a simple collection of vases and filled them with a variety of pumpkins. Caesar looks pleased. 




I also couldn't resist this lizard. His long tail just sold me! I also added a cute, little ceramic pumpkin for balance and good measure.




My glass skeleton head is normally somewhere close by year-round, but right now he looks like he has just a little more purpose.





My decanter collection is a constant work in progress. It seems as though the more I accessories I add to it, the busier it gets, so I'm trying to show restraint. In case you were wondering, There are 20 shown here. I've already tried pairing them down. Now I'm afraid that I've hit my limit. I'm currently on the lookout for a better display solution though. But I'll save my ideas for another post. :)




Here I added a touch of orange, more clippings from the yard, and a baby pumpkin.





The claw had to come home with me! It might actually move all over the house next month depending on how mischievous I feel.


Step # 3 Add Warmth




When I think about colder weather I immediately want to cover up! That's why I made sure to have blankets that are easily accessible when I'm lounging and watching TV. I like to keep one on the ottoman, as well as one the arm of the sofa just in case I feel a draft. I don't change my pillow covers too often, but when I do, I always make sure that I coordinate them with the perfect throw.





This time of  year, the sofa becomes your second home, am I right? With all the new Fall TV shows, and the chilly weather, I like to craft a cocoon so cozy that my feet never have to hit the floor! 




Sheepskins are also a nice touch. Not only do they add character and personality to a piece of furniture, you can also cuddle up with them. Oh, and Chip's favorite thing in the world is being underneath a blanket or sheepskin. See how she's plotting her next move?




Oh, and there's the matter of adding a little something special to the floor.




We recently added a cowhide to the entry. We pretty much decided on this type of floor covering for three reasons. One, it protects the floor from further scratches. Chips gets really excited when we let her out of her crate, and she accidentally scratches everything in her path on the way to the door. Two, the space opens up in a such a way that a regular square, or rectangular rug just didn't do anything for the space. It's quite amazing though, because the rug fits perfectly within a 1/16" of the base boards, so I guess we picked the right cow! Three, it warms up the space and makes the entry feel a little less naked, which is exactly what you want during the end of the year when you have the most visitors!


So that's it folks, that's how I refreshed our place for fall. Are you adding or subtracting anything from your decor during this time of year? Do you follow a mixed metals + whimsy + warmth strategy in your home, or have you developed your own method?  Let me know! 

Lately I've been seriously considering the addition of a plug-in sconce to our bedroom lighting ensemble. While we have two nice lamps on either side, it would be wonderful to add additional reading lights over the bed. Actually I've been dreaming about particular sconces since we stayed at the (now deceased) Viceroy hotel in Miami a few years ago. The room had a gorgeous bed flanked with large lamps on either side, but it also had thin, modern LED lights that peeked from behind the bed frame. See if you can spot them in the photo below.




With that inspiration in mind, I started thinking about how I could have the same look, but of course in a more affordable version. Sconces next to the bed have been rather trendy lately, but the cost can be pretty expensive. So while I was on the hunt, I decided to go ahead and pull together a round-up of my favorite plug-in sconces. Why plug-in? Well I like flexibility. What if I get tired of the solution and want to try something else? Or what if we decide to get a new (or larger) bed? Plus, having to get sconces installed permanently is such a drag, possibly cost-prohibitive, and not very renter friendly for those of you who don't currently own your place of residence. Anyhoo, here's what I came up with.





1. beaker / 2. zinc ethan / 3. Inez / 4. globe clear / 5. arstid / 6. brass nook / 7. eyeball / 8. globe cage / 9. ranarp / 10. crosby / 11. tived / 12. glass globe / 13. accordian / 14. logan / 15. alang

And People, don't forget your cord management! It is so important unless you have a sexy fabric- covered cord like #9. To make sure a cord stays on the straight and narrow, I like to use this adhesive paintable cord cover. And just in case you were still wondering, I'm totally digging #11 for our space. Most of these options can hold their own (without the addition of a lamp) but we've decided to keep our lamps because well... they're pretty. And I'm not a huge fan of overhead lighting (unless it's fabulous) but in our case a ceiling fan in the bedroom is a non-negotiable. Also, just for reference, here's a photo of our bedroom situation (it's an old photo, but we've only hung art over the bed since then.)



And a quick sketch of an idea never hurt anyone!




I can't wait to get the lights installed! And don't worry, I'll definitely let you know how it goes! :)
Last Sunday I was feeling rather ambitious, so I decided it would be a good day to attempt a wall collage. I have been collecting thrifty art for some time, and I thought that it might be a good idea to finally see what I could do with it. Numbers 1,4, and 5 came from Goodwill. Numbers 5, and 7 came from the Habit for Humanity Restore. The chairs were acquired about two weeks ago, and they are by Maria Mayr. The bottom piece on the right is a Judy Paul print, which is the only one that I did not acquire while thrifting. I LOVE second-hand art. You wouldn't believe how many good, original pieces of art that get donated on a daily basis! 



To get started, I arranged all of the pieces on the floor in my studio to get an idea of what I wanted the composition to look like. Since they were all relatively different sizes, I decided that the common denominator would be the spacing between them (I went for about 1 1/2"), and the continuous horizontal line running between the top and bottom row. 



When I was happy with my layout, I propped the top row of art up in our stairwell where I wanted to hang them. I did my best to get the spacing correct on the ends. I tried not to obsess to much over it though. Like I said earlier, that Sunday I was feeling quite ambitious and figured, "If I make a few extra holes in the wall, it won't be the end of the world". Turns out a did make a few more nail holes than I originally intended. Three to be exact! Of course they are being covered, so it all worked out fine, and more importantly, and no one died! Which is a big step for me! I would've hated for Brandon to have arrange my early funeral on account of a collage wall gone wrong. Below is the first row all hung up! It took me about 15 minutes. 


And here's the whole thing up! 



And if you have an eagle eye, you'll notice that I also added a little baby piece of art on the far left in the top row. It's a 'nanner'! This teeny-tiny piece worked out the spacing issue that I ran into when I hung the first row and realized that there were about two inches left over than what I originally intended. I just embraced it, and worked it out. Besides, who doesn't love 'nanners'? It was painted by Mr. Lovenstein himself!  



Also, this provocative pose is one of the most amazing pieces that I own. That girl is working it! 



Here's the view that greets you from the bottom of the staircase. 



Here's the one from top. 


And the hallway above has this view to offer. I love it. :)


I feel so accomplished, and it adds so much to a home that has so many blank walls. At first I was discouraged by the fact that it had taken me so long to hang art, but now I'm glad that I waited for the right pieces and found a the perfect spot to showcase them together. My friend once told me that owning a home is a marathon, not a sprint, and I try remind myself of this weekly so that I can stay motivated. Just find one piece at a time. Don't rush it. Everything will eventually come together. Anyhoo, not too bad for a lazy Sunday afternoon, huh?